2002 Fermilab Bird Report

Winter

Ross's Goose

The 2001 Christmas Bird Count produced fairly average numbers for on-site species and individual counts, even though the totals for the count circle were among the highest on record. Nevertheless, there were some surprises. The most remarkable find was a female Yellow Grosbeak which was found in the pines north west of the village. This is only the second time this Central American species has been recorded in the northern states, which leads us to suspect that the bird was more likely to be an aviary escapee rather than a wild vagrant. The count also produced the site's first ever December record for Eastern Bluebird and only the second count record of Lapland Longspur.

For reasons unknown, both Long-eared and Short-eared Owls were absent from the site again this winter. However we were compensated by the presence of Ross's Geese on Main ring Lake through the remainder of the winter and early spring.

Spring

Peregrine Falcon

Spring migration was fairly mediocre this year. Most of the usual migrants were present but the numbers were less than impressive. There were some exceptions however and the two most notable were Peregrine Falcons which were observed on seven occassions throughout winter and spring, and Yellow-throated Vireos which were seen much earlier and more frequently than ever before. There were also some interesting late waterfowl records including the first site breeding record for Hooded Merganser. This occurred on May 26 when a female was seen in the western part of the main ring with 10 chicks.

Summer

Henslow's Sparrow

The most interesting observations over the summer related to Henslow's Sparrows. These "state endangered" birds were found on site earlier than ever before and in several new locations. They first arrived on site in early May in the grasslands along Eola rd (ELM 11) a location where they have been observed in the recent past. However on May 14th birds were also found in the restored prairie inside the Main Ring and by the end of the month three territories were identified inside the main ring, a colony of seven were located in ELM 9, several more were found in ELM 11 and a single territory was found just east of the garden club. Another wave of arrivals occurred in mid June with birds appearing throughout ELM 16 and also in ELM 15. In order to try and understand the bird's habitat preferences, a summer student in the Preservice teacher Program was assigned the task of studying them. This study raised more questions than it answered with the only common factor in the habitats being the absence of a recent burn. This was most evident for the birds inside the Main Ring. Their choice of a forbe rich restored prairie was contrary to much of the existing lore surrounding the species and probably had a lot to do with the fact that that particular section of prairie had not been burnt in the past three years. This also vindicates the management plan for the Eola rd. grasslands which calls for annual mowing rather than burning.

Other important finds during the summer included a King Rail in the Main Ring. This is only the second time this species has been recorded on site and may even be indicative of nesting. The marshes inside the main ring appear very suitable for this "state endangered" species. The news concerning our other "state endangered" nesting species, the Upland Sandpiper was less encouraging with only one sighting recorded for the entire summer.

Fall

American White Pelican

Low water levels throughout the fall meant that the village lakes provided good habitat for migrating shorebirds. Consequently many good records were produced. Highlights included American Avocets, a Sanderling, a White-rumped Sandpiper, and large numbers of American Pipits. Of course there were other rarities found this fall which did not result from the mudflats. these included an American White Pelican, a Franklin's Gull, a Harris's Sparrow and more Peregrine Falcons.